Westfield Athenaeum Library

Lecture Series

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As one of Westfield's premier cultural and recreational centers, the Athenaeum strives to maintain an exciting array of programs and events for people all ages and interests, including a full Lecture Series, throughout the year. Partial funding for the Lecture Series is provided by the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum. The Athenaeum invites well-known speakers, historians, writers, artists and other notable people to speak on a variety of topics, as part of our Lecture Series.

For more information about the Athenaeum's free Lecture Series, call Candy Pennington, Administrative Assistant, at 413-568-0638.

2008 Special Programs and Events

140th Anniversary Celebration 1868 ~ 2008

Westfield Athenaeum Founders Day Celebration January 19

Dramatic readings of Ashes, by Playwright Robert Lehan, and The Duck Variations, by David Mamet Actors Jack Shea, Ashley Shea and Robert Lehan February 6 @ 7 PM in the Elizabeth Reed Room

Open Forum on the creation of the Westfield History Mural Muralist David Fichter February 13

I LOVE MY LIBRARY DAY! (Details to follow.) February 14

FREE Public Library Day! (Details to follow.) March 6 and May 10th

Annual Community Craft Night in the Jasper Rand Art Museum & Elizabeth Reed Room. Tables of artisans demonstrating their craft-a time to learn, enjoy and buy ~ March 12, 6 – 8:30 PM

The Complete Entertainer: Comedian Derek Mann in conjunction with WinterGreen Days ~ March 19 @ 7 PM

A Celebration of Song: The American Songbook and Beyond with Jazz musician Ellen Schwartz ~ March 26 @ 7 PM

Open Forum with Dr. Evan Dobelle President, Westfield State College April (TBA)

Friends of the Athenaeum Used Book Sale April 3 - 5

National Library Week (Details to follow.) April 13 – 19

First Annual Carol Otis Hurst Children’s Book Prize speaker April (TBA)

Gardens to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies with horticulturalist Pernell Gerver April 23 @ 7 PM in the Jaspar Rand Art Museum.

Westfield Athenaeum historical essay contest winners will read their essays. Students from Westfield State College are competing in a historical essay contest ~ May (TBA)

"Fact in Fiction" a talk by Ruth Haskins Bass will bring to light the kinds of research she did as she brought real family anecdotes into a fictional setting of the 19th century for her novel Sarah's Daughter. Please join us at 7 pm on May 14th in the Jasper Rand Art Museum.

Early Doers: The Founders of the Westfield Athenaeum~ a presentation by Christopher Lindquist, Athenaeum Director on the Athenaeum's beginnings ~ June 11 @ 7 PM

31 High: A Unique Perspective on Growing Up in the 1930s Author Cliff Noble, Sr. will read from his book on Westfield in the Reed Room and sign copies Sept. 10 @ 7 PM

Mushrooms of the Northeast Naturalist John Root will elucidate our fungi friends and enemies on Sept. 17 @ 7 PM

4th Annual Westfield Colonial Harvest Day Sept. 27.

Formal unveiling of the Westfield History Mural Sept. (TBA)

The Westfield Athenaeum as a Place of Learning Dr. Robert Brown, President, Westfield Athenaeum Oct. 15 @ 7 PM

History of the Hampshire and Hampden Canal Dr. Carl Walter and Ruth Hummel will take us back in time and explain the development, construction, and impact of the Canal ~Oct. 22 @ 7 PM

Joy of Health: Staying Slim Through the Holidays Vanessa Burgos, Certified Holistic Health & Nutritional Coach, will help us enjoy the holiday season while staying healthy~Nov. 12 @ 7 PM

First Annual Edwin Smith Family Distinguished Speaker Award, sponsored by the Board of Directors Nov. (TBA)

Treasures of the Athenaeum exhibit in Jasper Rand Art Museum will high light many of Westfield's past citizens and events~ Nov. 1 – 30

Westfield Dickens Days exhibit Dec. 1 – 31 Jasper Rand Art Museum